ELECTION 2015: Cameron takes the lead with seven days to go

ELECTION 2015: Cameron takes the lead with seven days to go

POPULAR: David Cameron has shot up in the esteem of Brits with a personality rating of 46% [GETTY]

The Tory leader has gained a five-point lead ahead of Labour – as well as experiencing a dramatic increase in his personal ratings.

A poll showed 46 per cent of the British public are happy with how the PM is performing, up from 39 per cent at the start of the month.

But just 35 per cent of people are satisfied with Labour leader Ed Miliband's performance.

“The political situation remains on a knife-edge”

Gideon Skinner, Ipsos MORI

The Conservatives now stand at 35 per cent, their biggest share since October 2013, according to pollsters Ipsos MORI.

And in today's exclusive research Mr Cameron and his senior ministers were almost all seen as more capable than their Labour counterparts, with the exception of foreign secretary Philip Hammond.

In contrast, Labour have seen a dramatic fall by five points and now stand at 30 per cent.

The Lib Dems have gained a point and are now at eight per cent. Ukip is unchanged at 10 per cent and the Greens are also unchanged at eight percent.

With just one week to go the battle for No.10 is reaching a crucial point – and regardless of the Tory popularity surge their success is far from certain.

The vast majority of Brits think a hung parliament is inevitable, with nearly three out of four people saying they don't believe any party will win an outright majority.

Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos MORI, said: "The Conservatives will clearly be pleased with their first poll lead this year in this series and confirmation that they have the edge on being seen as the most capable leaders.

"But this is still just one poll – and they will want the reassurance of this pattern being maintained in upcoming polls.